SAT II World History : SAT Subject Test in World History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Other Global Regions

Genghis Khan’s Mongol Empire was largely dissolved after his death by

Possible Answers:

popular revolt against Mongol rule.

disunity among his heirs.

native Chinese values limiting Mongol authority.

invasions by European armies.

outside attacks from other peoples.

Correct answer:

disunity among his heirs.

Explanation:

Genghis Khan conquered most of Asia and portions of the Middle East, establishing the massive Mongol Empire by his death in 1227 from the Pacific Ocean to the Caspian Sea. Less than a hundred years later, his grandsons and eventual successors began fighting among themselves, dissolving into multiple Mongol principalities.

Example Question #2 : East And Southeast Asia From 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

The Mandate of Heaven can be compared to the European __________.

Possible Answers:

belief in a "watchmaker God"

desire to conquer the African continent

insitution of feudalism

divine right of kings

fear of Arab invasion

Correct answer:

divine right of kings

Explanation:

The Chinese Mandate of Heaven suggests that the Chinese Emperor is divinely ordained to rule. This has the obvious implication that to challenge the power of the emperor would mean challenging someone with divine support. In Europe, this same philosophy was prevalent for much of the Middle Ages and the early period of Reformation. In Europe it was called "the divine right of kings."

Example Question #211 : Sat Subject Test In World History

The Mandate of Heaven was part of the governing philosophy of which of the following countries?

Possible Answers:

India

Japan

Korea

Russia

China

Correct answer:

China

Explanation:

The Mandate of Heaven was a government philosophy in China. The Mandate of Heaven effectively states that the Chinese Emperor is divinely chosen and supported.

Example Question #61 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

Which Asian warlord founded the Uyan Dynasty in China?

Possible Answers:

Qin Shi Huang

Genghis Khan

Kublai Khan 

Asoka the Great 

Tokugawa 

Correct answer:

Kublai Khan 

Explanation:

The Uyan Dynasty (also called the Yuan Dynasty) was founded by the Mongolian warlord Kublai Khan in 1271. Kublai Khan was the grandson of Genghis Khan, and he inherited a large swathe of Genghis’ massive territorial conquests. Kublai Khan established his capital at Beijing and proceeded to conquer and unify the rest of (what was at the time) China.

Example Question #212 : Sat Subject Test In World History

The Battle of Talas fought between the Abbasid Caliphate and the Tang Dynasty of China was important for __________.

Possible Answers:

halting eastward expansion of the Islamic faith and ensuring that East Asia would be cut off from the rest of the world for several centuries

spreading the Islamic faith into the Chinese Kingdom 

ending the influence of Confucianism among the people of the Abbasid Caliphate and ensuring the rise of Islam in the Middle East

temporarily closing off the trading routes of the Silk Road, leading to widespread poverty and economic stagnation in China

halting westward Chinese expansion and allowing the Islamic faith to spread into central Asia

Correct answer:

halting westward Chinese expansion and allowing the Islamic faith to spread into central Asia

Explanation:

The Battle of Talas (751 C.E.) is an important battle in determining the direction of human history. It was fought between the westward expanding Tang Dynasty of China and the eastward expanding Muslim Caliphate of the Abbasids. It resulted in overwhelming victory for the Abbasids and halted the westward expansion of China permanently. It also allowed Islam to spread into Central Asia relatively unopposed and ensured Abbasid control of the Silk Road. 

Example Question #213 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Daimyos were feudal rulers in which Asian society?

Possible Answers:

Korea

Mongol

Japan

China

Khmer

Correct answer:

Japan

Explanation:

For several centuries Japanese society operated under a feudal structure very similar to that of Europe during the same time period. Vast areas were ruled over by daimyos who owned land and owed allegiance (in theory) only to the shogun. The samurai fought for the daimyo and the peasants worked the land. 

Example Question #214 : Sat Subject Test In World History

The Khmer Empire arose in which modern-day country?

Possible Answers:

Sri Lanka

China

Nepal

Malaysia

Cambodia

Correct answer:

Cambodia

Explanation:

The Khmer Empire was the dominant political power in Southeast Asia from the ninth century C.E. to the fifteenth century. The empire arose in modern-day Cambodia and at various times spread to incorporate parts of modern-day Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Famous Khmer rules include Jayavarman II and Suryavarman II. 

Example Question #215 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Which of these warlords established the Yuan Dynasty in China? 

Possible Answers:

Oda Nobunaga

Genghis Khan

Kublai Khan

Asoka the Great

Alaric the Visigoth

Correct answer:

Kublai Khan

Explanation:

The Yuan Dynasty was established by Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis) in 1271 in China. The reign of the Yuan Dynasty lasted a little short of a hundred years before the Mongolians packed up and went home to rule over the much more manageable territory of Mongolia. It was replaced by the long-lasting Ming Dynasty. 

Example Question #216 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Which of these Chinese dynasties was ruled by Mongolian rulers? 

Possible Answers:

Ming Dynasty

Qin Dynasty

Yuan Dynasty

Song Dynasty

Han Dynasty

Correct answer:

Yuan Dynasty

Explanation:

The Yuan Dynasty ruled China from 1271-1368 and is notable for being the first dynasty established by foreigners in China. It was ruled by Mongolians, first under the famous Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis). 

Example Question #1 : North And South America From 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

All of the following were features of Mayan civilization EXCEPT which answer choice?

Possible Answers:

The prevalence of a monotheistic religion

Settlements in the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.

A diet that included corn (maize) as a staple

The construction of large pyramids

An economy based on agriculture

Correct answer:

The prevalence of a monotheistic religion

Explanation:

Part of Mayan civilization was polytheism, a religious system in which multiple gods are worshipped. Therefore, "The prevalence of a monotheistic religion" is the correct answer because it was not a feature of Mayan civilization. The other answer choices are true of Mayan civilization.

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